Ecosystems Stem Case

A short plant with a thick, fleshy stem, extensive roots, and a short blooming period would MOST likely be found in which of the following environments?

• prairie

• desert

• coniferous forest

• deciduous forest

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which of the following BEST explains what will occur when a population grows larger than the carrying capacity of its environment?

• The emigration rate will decrease.

• The competition rate will decrease.

• The birth rate will increase.

• The death rate will increase.

An increase in which ecosystem factor could cause a population decline in a bird species?

• emigration

• immigration

• number of births

• amount of food

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Dall sheep have adapted to live in alpine tundra ecosystems. Alpine tundra has cold temperatures, steep terrains, and limited availability of food sources. Which BEST explains what would happen to the Dall sheep if the alpine tundra ecosystem became much warmer?

• There would be an increase in predators moving into the ecosystem.

• Sheep populations would move down the mountains to a new habitat.

• Environmental stressors would increase the fitness of the sheep.

• Genetic variability would increase due to a low carrying capacity of the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

When high winds knocked down pine trees in a wooded region, it created a gap in the crowded canopy and allowed sunlight to fall on the ground. The increased sunlight allowed a dense growth of raspberry plants which protected young pine seedlings from being eaten by herbivores. Over time, the pine seedlings grew and blocked sunlight from falling on the woodland floor, thereby preventing growth of more raspberry plants. Which of these terms BEST describes the process of change observed in this woodlands community

• adaptation

• cooperation

• natural selection

• ecological succession

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The Kalij pheasant is a game bird that was introduced to Hawaii in the 1960s. It is commonly found in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In order for the population of the Kalij pheasants in the park to remain in dynamic equilibrium, which must occur?

• The food sources must be able to support maximum population sizes.

• The birth and death rates must remain approximately equal.

• The population must be exported to other areas of Hawaii.

• The population must grow exponentially each year.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A population of baboons has access to plenty of food, shelter, and space to live but has an inadequate supply of water. Which of these BEST defines the water in this case?

• limiting factor

• limiting reagent

• Darwinian shortfall

• biochemical constraint

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A volcano erupts and covers the surrounding area with lava and volcanic ash. As the ecosystem begins to recover, which type of plant will MOST likely be the first to colonize land in the area surrounding the eruption?

• mosses

• wildflowers

• hardwood trees

• evergreen shrubs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In 1988, wildfires in Yellowstone National Park scorched 1.4 million acres, approximately 36% of the park. Although many trees, plants, and wildlife were destroyed in that event, the overall effect of the fires was beneficial to the Yellowstone ecosystems. How do forest fires MOSTlikely benefit an ecosystem?

• The fires eliminate habitats.

• The fires produce oxygen.

• The fires clear space for houses to be built.

• The fires replenish the nutrients in the top soil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

In May 2007, wildfires burned more than 350 square miles of habitat in Florida and Georgia. Intense fires like this one can temporarily remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in area soil. What MOST likely happens in the burned areas until organic decay replenishes the lost nutrients?

• Consumers take on the ecological role of producers.

• Only secondary consumers obtain the resources they need.

• The carrying capacity of the soil for plant growth is reduced.

• The remaining organisms in the area become more territorial.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4